LONDON -- As Celtic flew home from Seville on Thursday after the UEFA Cup final against FC Porto (a 3-2 extra-time defeat) its preparations for what many believe is an even bigger game began immediately -- a league match away to Kilmarnock. The game may not have the romance of a European final but the Scottish championship reaches its most exciting climax ever on Sunday.
Celtic and Rangers are locked on points and goal difference at the top of the Bank of Scotland Premier League with Rangers holding the slimmest of advantages having scored one goal more than their Old Firm rival. A 1-0 win for Rangers against Dunfermline and a 2-1 victory for Celtic at Kilmarnock (and so on) would mean a championship playoff between the Glasgow teams at Hampden Park on June 3.